USC Credit Union CEO/President Gary J. Perez Receives Prestigious Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues

Palm Desert, CA. November 3, 2025 — California and Nevada’s credit union community gathered October 26 – October 30 at the REACH 2025 conference to celebrate innovation, leadership, and service across the industry. The annual Credit Union Awards dinner brought together credit union professionals, advocates, and partners for an evening dedicated to recognizing the individuals and organizations that embody the cooperative spirit of “people helping people.”

This year’s conference highest award honor, the Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award, was presented to Gary Perez, President and CEO of USC Credit Union, in recognition of his more than 35 years of dedicated service to members, communities, and the broader credit union movement.

Under Perez’s visionary leadership, USC Credit Union has grown to serve nearly 75,000 members and manage more than $700 million in assets. A strong advocate for financial inclusion, he has been instrumental in expanding access to underserved communities. His efforts have helped USC Credit Union become the only Los Angeles-based credit union to earn all four designations: Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Low-Income Credit Union (LICU), Minority Depository Institution (MDI), and Juntos Avanzamos.

In his remarks, Perez reflected on the enduring values that define the credit union difference: “As we navigate an increasingly complex financial world, our mission of access, education, and empathy is more important than ever. Credit union leaders are the financial first responders for their members, and I’m deeply humbled to stand among so many who live that mission every day.”

The award was presented by Scott Simpson, President of California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions, who praised Perez as a mentor, advocate, and true believer in the cooperative model. “Gary is the definition of a credit unionist,” Simpson said.

The event also celebrated 24 honorees across categories recognizing innovation, advocacy, volunteerism, and community impact, each representing the best of what the credit union system stands for.